Galleries: avatars: Radically Faerie

WHAT IS A FAERIE ?

Radical Faeries are essentially born from the 1970’s North American Gay Rights movement, at end of the hippie counterculture movement, Radical Faeries identify with the earth and with many pagan rituals, such as celebrating the seasons and marking the significant dates of solstices and equinoxes.

Although “fairies” seem predominantly male, Faeries think of themselves as neither female nor male. There are female Fairies, and there are heterosexual, and bi-sexual Fairies. Radical Fairie's, challenge the commercialization and patriarchal aspects of modern gay life while celebrating pagan constructs and rituals and adapting rural living and environmentally sustainable concepts to modern technologies as part of their creative expression.

AMERICAN PAGANISM / TRADITIONS ( FACE ) :

There are many "faerie tribes" that comprise the over-arching Faery Circle, and just as many variants of its spiritual practice. Faeries are spread world wide, and in most cases own real estate collectively. Some groups are largely based in spirituality and self-healing; others are primarily designed for social or sexual interaction; still others focus more on pageantry and feature events with drag queens and fantasy. Some groups accept women, others do not.

One of the most important Faerie rituals is to build a May pole on the first of May. Faeries then, ejaculate into the hole of the May pole and on the 1st of May celebrate fecundity. Faeries celebrate by wearing “face”

FAERIES LANDS/ SANCTUARIES :

Faerie gatherings in Faerie lands usually near a Faerie sanctuary; a space where they live in a with each other. In smaller circles this may be someone's home, larger circles may rent or purchase a building, and the largest circles purchase entire areas of land to create a permanent sacred Faerie space. "Short Mountain Sanctuary" in Tennessee and "Faerie Camp Destiny" in Vermont are two examples. In Faerie space we can be everything we want to be and live with intent. At different points throughout the year, Radical Faerie circles from all over the country will host large gatherings where Faeries come together to live in a Faerie space, partake of sacred rituals, celebrate living and live as community, if only for a while.

MAINSTREAM :

Some popular musicians have identified with Faerie culture creativing a somewhata common singing style. Popular artists who have association with Faeries are Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newson or even Justin Bond, plays a lead role in a fictional film was made about sexual experimentation inspired by events taking place at Short Mountain sanctuary. This full feature film, entitled Short Bus, was released in 2006, and actually stars actual Radical Fairies, from New York City.

For any further inquires, or edits please contact the lovely Annick, at Reportage-by Getty Images in New York.